WEBVTT 00:00:00.210 --> 00:00:03.390 - [OverSimplified] This video was made possible by NordVPN. 00:00:03.390 --> 00:00:05.790 Click the link below and get an exclusive deal 00:00:05.790 --> 00:00:09.750 with a huge discount and a 30 day money-back guarantee. 00:00:09.750 --> 00:00:14.750 Introducing our new, glorious, breathtaking Bucket Plushy. 00:00:16.289 --> 00:00:18.689 Limited quantity, available now, 00:00:18.690 --> 00:00:20.850 along with some Punic War character pins. 00:00:20.850 --> 00:00:21.682 - [Character] Oh, wow! 00:00:21.682 --> 00:00:23.789 - [OverSimplified] Buy them, or I'll marry your mother. 00:00:23.789 --> 00:00:25.172 It's your choice. 00:00:27.545 --> 00:00:31.590 - [Dad] Oh, Marcelus! You sure have a lot of dignitas! 00:00:31.589 --> 00:00:32.640 Kiss me! 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:33.560 Okay. 00:00:33.560 --> 00:00:35.910 (imitates kissing) 00:00:35.909 --> 00:00:36.742 - [Timulus] Hey dad? 00:00:36.743 --> 00:00:37.830 - [Dad] Hi son, just reading the newspaper. 00:00:37.829 --> 00:00:38.662 What can I do for you? 00:00:38.662 --> 00:00:40.500 - [Timulus] Well, you know how you always say Rome 00:00:40.500 --> 00:00:42.750 is the greatest civilization in the world? 00:00:42.750 --> 00:00:44.340 - [Dad] It bloody well is! 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:45.720 - [Timulus] Well, I was just wondering, 00:00:45.719 --> 00:00:47.250 what makes us so great? 00:00:47.250 --> 00:00:49.057 How did we come to be? 00:00:49.057 --> 00:00:52.079 - [Dad] Wow. My son! 00:00:52.079 --> 00:00:56.162 Boy, let me take you on a journey to this side of the room. 00:00:57.450 --> 00:01:02.130 The story of Rome begins with these beautiful baby boys 00:01:02.130 --> 00:01:04.230 going to town on some she-wolf mommy milkers. 00:01:04.230 --> 00:01:05.063 - [Timulus] That's gross. 00:01:05.063 --> 00:01:06.180 - [Dad] You're gross! 00:01:06.180 --> 00:01:07.260 Sorry, son. 00:01:07.260 --> 00:01:09.990 You're not gross. I love you. 00:01:09.989 --> 00:01:13.170 They're called Romulus and Remus and when they grew up, 00:01:13.170 --> 00:01:17.250 in 753 BC, they founded Rome 00:01:17.250 --> 00:01:19.200 But there was just one problem. 00:01:19.200 --> 00:01:21.840 They couldn't agree on which of them should be the king. 00:01:21.840 --> 00:01:24.420 - [Timulus] But they worked it out peacefully, right? 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:25.560 - [Dad] Oh, heavens no! 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:27.930 Romulus caved Remus's skull in with a shovel. 00:01:27.930 --> 00:01:28.763 Here's a picture. 00:01:28.763 --> 00:01:31.020 - [Timulus] Our first king committed fratricide? 00:01:31.019 --> 00:01:33.420 - [Dad] I know, look at his face! 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:34.469 - [Timulus] When's the part where we become 00:01:34.469 --> 00:01:36.359 the greatest civilization, Dad? 00:01:36.359 --> 00:01:39.179 - [Dad] Well, you see, at first Rome was full of men. 00:01:39.180 --> 00:01:40.013 - Oh yeah! - I'm talking 00:01:40.013 --> 00:01:41.370 like a real sausage party. 00:01:41.370 --> 00:01:42.203 You know what I mean? 00:01:42.203 --> 00:01:43.036 - [Timulus] Yes, sir. 00:01:43.036 --> 00:01:43.868 - [Dad] So we invited some neighboring cities over 00:01:43.868 --> 00:01:47.700 for a big feast and then we literally kidnapped all 00:01:47.700 --> 00:01:48.659 of their women. 00:01:48.659 --> 00:01:49.872 Here's a picture. 00:01:49.873 --> 00:01:54.093 (laughs) Look at that one. She's like, bah! 00:01:54.093 --> 00:01:55.920 (Dad laughs) - This is messed up. 00:01:55.920 --> 00:01:56.753 - [Dad] You're messed up! 00:01:56.753 --> 00:02:00.510 Ugh, sorry, sorry. I'll be a better father. 00:02:00.510 --> 00:02:01.350 I promise. 00:02:01.349 --> 00:02:04.289 So then, finally, after centuries of monarchy, 00:02:04.290 --> 00:02:07.050 those tyrannical kings started getting a little too big 00:02:07.049 --> 00:02:09.479 for their britches, so we overthrew the kings 00:02:09.479 --> 00:02:11.759 and established Rome as a republic. 00:02:11.759 --> 00:02:13.560 - [Timulus] Is that when all the killing stopped? 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:14.393 - [Dad] Oh, heavens no! 00:02:14.393 --> 00:02:16.620 That's when the killing surged, baby! 00:02:16.620 --> 00:02:19.277 We went wild and conquered the Latin League, 00:02:19.277 --> 00:02:21.299 the Samnites, the Etruscans! 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:22.740 Woo, what a rush! 00:02:22.740 --> 00:02:25.140 - [Timulus] Dad, Rome seems pretty barbaric. 00:02:25.139 --> 00:02:26.429 - [Dad] You're barbaric! 00:02:26.430 --> 00:02:28.560 Oh, I forgot to tell you about the time a prophet 00:02:28.560 --> 00:02:30.569 told Saturn his son would one day overthrow him. 00:02:30.569 --> 00:02:34.109 So Saturn literally ate his own son, 00:02:34.110 --> 00:02:36.445 seconds after he was born. 00:02:36.444 --> 00:02:37.799 - [Timulus] I don't wanna see a picture. 00:02:37.800 --> 00:02:38.657 - [Dad] Here's a picture. 00:02:38.657 --> 00:02:40.710 - [Timulus] Dad! Look at that! 00:02:40.710 --> 00:02:41.543 - [Dad] Hmm? 00:02:41.543 --> 00:02:42.450 - [Timulus] That's messed up, man. 00:02:42.449 --> 00:02:43.592 Are we really this uncivilized? 00:02:43.592 --> 00:02:46.500 - [Dad] Hey, hey, if we were so uncivilized, 00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:48.360 would we use communal toilets where we all fart 00:02:48.360 --> 00:02:50.040 and poo together in one big stinky, steamy, 00:02:50.039 --> 00:02:51.209 dirty toilet room? 00:02:51.210 --> 00:02:53.520 - [Timulus] Yeah, dad, we would! 00:02:53.520 --> 00:02:55.620 - [Dad] Clean your butt with the sponge, Timulus! 00:02:55.620 --> 00:02:57.509 - [Timulus] But all these guys just used it. 00:02:57.509 --> 00:02:58.769 - [Roman] What's wrong with your son, bro? 00:02:58.770 --> 00:03:01.200 - [Timulus] I don't wanna be Roman. This is so weird. 00:03:01.199 --> 00:03:02.191 - [Dad] You're weird! 00:03:02.191 --> 00:03:06.847 Sorry, you're not weird. I'm sure you're probably fine. 00:03:06.847 --> 00:03:08.621 Huh? 00:03:08.621 --> 00:03:11.454 (Timulus screams) 00:03:16.530 --> 00:03:18.840 - [OverSimplified] The Roman Republic, the nation that, 00:03:18.840 --> 00:03:21.150 since its foundation, had been stabbing necks 00:03:21.150 --> 00:03:23.189 all the way down the Italian peninsula. 00:03:23.189 --> 00:03:25.289 But this isn't the famous Roman Empire 00:03:25.289 --> 00:03:26.819 that ruled the known world. 00:03:26.819 --> 00:03:27.959 Not yet, anyway. 00:03:27.960 --> 00:03:30.007 This is a relatively juvenile Rome, 00:03:30.007 --> 00:03:31.634 (Rome passes gas) still just a regional power. 00:03:31.633 --> 00:03:36.569 In 264 BC, the big daddy of the Western Mediterranean 00:03:36.569 --> 00:03:37.919 was Carthage. 00:03:37.919 --> 00:03:39.689 Let's rewind a bit. 00:03:39.689 --> 00:03:43.500 Carthage was founded in 814 BC when some Phoenicians in Tyre 00:03:43.500 --> 00:03:47.099 had mega surplus of goods and decided to export those goods 00:03:47.099 --> 00:03:48.659 across the Mediterranean. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:51.329 They became the dominant trading power in the region 00:03:51.330 --> 00:03:53.490 and to support their growing trade network, 00:03:53.490 --> 00:03:56.310 the Phoenicians established a number of colonies, 00:03:56.310 --> 00:03:58.710 one of which was Carthage. 00:03:58.710 --> 00:04:00.659 Therefore, Carthage began its life 00:04:00.659 --> 00:04:02.250 as a Phoenician trade colony 00:04:02.250 --> 00:04:05.250 and the Carthaginians were actually Phoenicians, 00:04:05.250 --> 00:04:09.210 or, if you're a Latin speaking Roman, they were Punic, 00:04:09.210 --> 00:04:10.644 hence the name of the video. 00:04:10.644 --> 00:04:12.330 - Oh! - Over the centuries, 00:04:12.330 --> 00:04:13.980 Carthage gradually expanded 00:04:13.979 --> 00:04:15.989 and became the region's base of power. 00:04:15.990 --> 00:04:18.930 Just like Rome, Carthage was a semi-democratic Republic 00:04:18.930 --> 00:04:21.120 with its own Senate and Judiciary. 00:04:21.120 --> 00:04:23.189 But there were also some pretty hefty differences 00:04:23.189 --> 00:04:24.240 between the two. 00:04:24.240 --> 00:04:26.639 While Rome was big into farming and stabbing people 00:04:26.639 --> 00:04:29.310 in the neck, the Carthaginians, on the other hand, 00:04:29.310 --> 00:04:31.350 just like their Phoenician forefathers, 00:04:31.350 --> 00:04:33.360 had built their power through trade 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:35.100 and navigating the waves. 00:04:35.100 --> 00:04:38.400 They went here and there, selling ivory tusks, 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:40.229 gold, and slaves. 00:04:40.230 --> 00:04:41.460 And as a result, (Carthaginians cheer) 00:04:41.459 --> 00:04:44.009 they were rolling in it. 00:04:44.009 --> 00:04:45.870 Whenever they weren't busy swimming around 00:04:45.870 --> 00:04:48.540 in their copious hoards of money, in their spare time, 00:04:48.540 --> 00:04:51.120 they also possibly enjoyed sacrificing their children 00:04:51.120 --> 00:04:54.840 to Ba'al, the God of, let me just check my notes, 00:04:54.839 --> 00:04:57.629 ah, yes, plant fertility. 00:04:57.629 --> 00:04:59.504 - [Farmer] Oh boy, these figs aren't looking too hot. 00:04:59.504 --> 00:05:02.699 Maybe if I throw my son into a burning pit of fire, 00:05:02.699 --> 00:05:03.533 they'll grow. 00:05:03.533 --> 00:05:05.699 - [Son] Have you tried watering them, Dad? 00:05:05.699 --> 00:05:06.533 - [Farmer] Hmm. 00:05:07.560 --> 00:05:08.910 No, we'll try that second. 00:05:08.910 --> 00:05:10.320 - [OverSimplified] As a result of all their trading, 00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:11.639 Carthage had emerged as one 00:05:11.639 --> 00:05:13.596 of the Mediterranean superpowers. 00:05:13.596 --> 00:05:15.036 "But wait," they said. 00:05:15.036 --> 00:05:17.639 "Rome? What the heck is that?" 00:05:17.639 --> 00:05:20.069 Well, I know it's a pretty obscure little country 00:05:20.069 --> 00:05:22.079 that you've probably never heard of, 00:05:22.079 --> 00:05:24.240 but this spunky young nation was about 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:27.060 to upset the entire region's balance of power. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:28.829 Initially, the two sites enjoyed 00:05:28.829 --> 00:05:30.689 relatively friendly relations 00:05:30.689 --> 00:05:32.730 and it even signed a couple treaties. 00:05:32.730 --> 00:05:35.939 But it was a relationship that was practically destined 00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:37.290 to turn sour. 00:05:37.290 --> 00:05:39.450 See, Rome had a thing where they liked 00:05:39.449 --> 00:05:41.699 to aggressively expand their boundaries, 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:44.939 often viewing such expansion as a defensive act. 00:05:44.939 --> 00:05:46.800 Kind of like when you could kill your neighbor 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:48.870 because you knew eventually they would've tried 00:05:48.870 --> 00:05:50.370 to kill you first. 00:05:50.370 --> 00:05:52.980 Meanwhile, Carthage was extremely protective 00:05:52.980 --> 00:05:54.840 of its wealthy trade network. 00:05:54.839 --> 00:05:57.599 So if you put a very strategically important island 00:05:57.600 --> 00:06:01.920 between them, well, two plus two equals war. 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:05.129 Tensions rose and the two sides began viewing each other 00:06:05.129 --> 00:06:07.139 with increasing disdain. 00:06:07.139 --> 00:06:09.389 The hardworking Romans looked across the water 00:06:09.389 --> 00:06:11.346 at the money-hungry Carthaginians and said, 00:06:11.346 --> 00:06:13.319 "Look at those dishonest crooks. 00:06:13.319 --> 00:06:16.230 Bet they've never done an honest day's work in their lives!" 00:06:16.230 --> 00:06:18.037 And the Carthaginians looked back and said, 00:06:18.036 --> 00:06:20.310 "Look at those simple-minded brutes. 00:06:20.310 --> 00:06:22.776 Bet they've never sacrificed a baby in their lives!" 00:06:22.776 --> 00:06:24.180 "Yeah!" 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:27.150 While war between the two superpowers seemed inevitable, 00:06:27.149 --> 00:06:30.719 the event that finally triggered it was a little unexpected. 00:06:30.720 --> 00:06:33.960 The whole thing began with a few simple mad lads 00:06:33.959 --> 00:06:35.939 on a wild night out. 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:38.550 These mad lads are called the Mamertines. 00:06:38.550 --> 00:06:40.319 They were Italian mercenaries employed 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:42.659 by the tyrant of Syracuse, here. 00:06:42.660 --> 00:06:45.007 But when he died, his successor said, 00:06:45.007 --> 00:06:47.310 "Sorry, fellas, we don't need any big burly men 00:06:47.310 --> 00:06:48.600 with sharp sticks anymore. 00:06:48.600 --> 00:06:49.650 You can all go home." 00:06:49.649 --> 00:06:51.239 - [Mamertines] Aw. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:53.040 - [OverSimplified] The Mamertines, as it turned out, 00:06:53.040 --> 00:06:54.030 didn't want to go home. 00:06:54.029 --> 00:06:56.939 So instead, they went to the nearby town of Messana 00:06:56.939 --> 00:07:00.329 and said, "Hey man, we are but poor little buff boys 00:07:00.329 --> 00:07:01.319 without a home. 00:07:01.319 --> 00:07:02.279 May we come in?" 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:05.214 - [Guard] Aw, poor fellas. Sure thing! 00:07:05.214 --> 00:07:08.129 Ah, ah, just so long as you promise 00:07:08.129 --> 00:07:09.728 not to massacre all of us. 00:07:09.728 --> 00:07:12.963 - [Mamertines] (laugh) We promise! 00:07:14.009 --> 00:07:14.843 - [OverSimplified] The Mamertines 00:07:14.843 --> 00:07:15.870 then massacred all of them. 00:07:15.870 --> 00:07:18.209 Well, not all of them, just the men. 00:07:18.209 --> 00:07:20.699 And they stole their homes and families. 00:07:20.699 --> 00:07:23.099 - [Mamertine] Ha, this is my house now! 00:07:23.100 --> 00:07:25.110 This is my Best Dad Ever mug now! 00:07:25.110 --> 00:07:27.720 And you guys are my new family! 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:31.020 Son, wanna go play catch with your old papa? 00:07:31.019 --> 00:07:32.250 - [Son] You're not my real dad! 00:07:32.250 --> 00:07:35.430 - [Mamertine] Ugh, teenagers, am I right, dear? 00:07:35.430 --> 00:07:37.355 - [Woman] You're not my real husband. 00:07:37.355 --> 00:07:40.529 - [Mamertine] Ugh, I'm so trapped in this marriage. 00:07:40.529 --> 00:07:41.679 - [Woman] Then get out! 00:07:43.319 --> 00:07:44.153 - [Mamertine] No. 00:07:44.153 --> 00:07:45.030 - [OverSimplified] Messana was now controlled 00:07:45.029 --> 00:07:47.069 by the Mamertines and they began raiding 00:07:47.069 --> 00:07:49.019 up and down the Syracuse coastline. 00:07:49.019 --> 00:07:52.919 When the new ruler of Syracuse saw this, he wasn't happy. 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:56.129 The Syracusans began fighting back and in response, 00:07:56.129 --> 00:07:59.759 the Mamertines said, "Oh, crap, they're fighting back? 00:07:59.759 --> 00:08:00.810 What do we do?" 00:08:00.810 --> 00:08:02.850 - [Mamertine] Quick, we'll convince the Carthaginians 00:08:02.850 --> 00:08:04.200 to come and save us. 00:08:04.199 --> 00:08:07.500 Oh no! We're in trouble! 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:10.949 And we need a big, strong empire to come 00:08:10.949 --> 00:08:12.692 and rub our bellies. 00:08:12.692 --> 00:08:14.163 - [Mamertine Leader] Why are you saying it like that? 00:08:14.163 --> 00:08:16.439 - [Mamertine] If I was a big, strong empire, 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:18.461 I think I'd like to be seduced. 00:08:18.461 --> 00:08:19.889 (Carthaginians murmur) 00:08:19.889 --> 00:08:21.812 See, it's working! 00:08:23.023 --> 00:08:24.210 - [OverSimplified] The Carthaginians had long dreamed 00:08:24.209 --> 00:08:25.709 of controlling all of Sicily. 00:08:25.709 --> 00:08:28.079 They had been fighting Syracuse and their Greek influence 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:29.519 on the island for centuries 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:31.589 and now here was a great opportunity 00:08:31.589 --> 00:08:33.059 to get one over on them. 00:08:33.059 --> 00:08:35.789 So Carthage promptly answered the Mamertines's cry for help 00:08:35.789 --> 00:08:38.069 and sent a force to garrison Messana. 00:08:38.070 --> 00:08:40.230 As it turned out, however, some within the ranks 00:08:40.230 --> 00:08:41.820 of the Mamertines weren't too happy 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:43.650 with the occupying Carthaginians 00:08:43.649 --> 00:08:46.980 and they sent out a second cry for help to Rome. 00:08:46.980 --> 00:08:48.840 When it reached the Roman Senate, 00:08:48.840 --> 00:08:50.970 they were a little more hesitant. 00:08:50.970 --> 00:08:52.980 Going to help the Mamertines ran the risk 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:55.409 of triggering an all-out war with Carthage 00:08:55.409 --> 00:08:56.730 and they had only just finished 00:08:56.730 --> 00:08:58.350 conquering the Italian peninsula, 00:08:58.350 --> 00:08:59.909 so they were kind of tired. 00:08:59.909 --> 00:09:02.819 Plus the Mamertines were all the way across the water. 00:09:02.820 --> 00:09:05.010 They had never made a leap like that before. 00:09:05.009 --> 00:09:07.439 So you would assume that to avoid any conflict 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:09.540 with Carthage, the exhausted Romans 00:09:09.539 --> 00:09:11.789 would probably sit this one out, 00:09:11.789 --> 00:09:14.279 But you would assume wrong. 00:09:14.279 --> 00:09:19.049 Rome just couldn't resist a good chance for war. Why? 00:09:19.049 --> 00:09:22.199 Well, there's something you gotta understand about Rome. 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:24.600 See, as a Republic, they were hell-bent 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:28.019 on preventing any one man from ever gaining too much power. 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:30.059 And so rather than having one leader, 00:09:30.059 --> 00:09:33.989 Rome had two, called Consuls, who shared power. 00:09:33.990 --> 00:09:36.870 These Consuls could also only serve for one year at a time 00:09:36.870 --> 00:09:38.970 before new Consuls were elected. 00:09:38.970 --> 00:09:41.879 These measures, to limit the powers of the Consuls, 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:44.639 were noble, but had an interesting side effect. 00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:47.399 The Consuls knew they had just one year 00:09:47.399 --> 00:09:50.699 to try and gain as much glory and prestige as possible, 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:54.120 something that was very important in Roman society. 00:09:54.120 --> 00:09:56.820 And the best way of gaining glory and prestige? 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:59.190 Military victory, of course. 00:09:59.190 --> 00:10:01.950 The Roman political system basically ended up 00:10:01.950 --> 00:10:05.850 encouraging these Consuls to go out and be as aggressive 00:10:05.850 --> 00:10:07.529 as your Italian grandmother 00:10:07.529 --> 00:10:09.754 when you don't eat all the spaghett. 00:10:09.754 --> 00:10:12.750 And so the glory-seeking Consuls convinced the people 00:10:12.750 --> 00:10:15.360 to vote in favor of going to Messana. 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:17.430 And in they went. 00:10:17.429 --> 00:10:19.139 Upon the arrival of the Romans, 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:22.019 the Carthaginians in the city, amongst the confusion, 00:10:22.019 --> 00:10:23.610 were forced to leave. 00:10:23.610 --> 00:10:25.529 Now in contrast to Roman aggression, 00:10:25.529 --> 00:10:26.909 the Carthaginian military 00:10:26.909 --> 00:10:29.039 had a slightly different philosophy. 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:31.049 - [Teacher] All right, kids, listen up. 00:10:31.049 --> 00:10:33.430 If you wanna grow up to be Carthaginian military leaders, 00:10:33.431 --> 00:10:36.420 there's a few things you have to understand. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:38.639 If you fail to succeed on the battlefield, 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:39.990 that's a crucifixion. 00:10:39.990 --> 00:10:42.480 Showing cowardice, that's a crucifixion. 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:43.312 - [Warrior] Hello, sir. 00:10:43.312 --> 00:10:45.210 - [Teacher] Huh? What are you doing here? 00:10:45.210 --> 00:10:46.470 Aren't you meant to be in Messana? 00:10:46.470 --> 00:10:48.403 - [Warrior] Yeah, but the Romans showed up. 00:10:48.403 --> 00:10:50.700 - [Teacher] So you just left? 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:51.750 - [Warrior] Sure did. 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:55.639 - [Teacher] Oh, you better believe that's a crucifixion. 00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:57.090 (class cheers) 00:10:57.090 --> 00:10:58.680 - [OverSimplified] The Roman Consuls were awarded 00:10:58.679 --> 00:11:00.539 for victory and therefore tended 00:11:00.539 --> 00:11:02.189 to be aggressive go-getters. 00:11:02.190 --> 00:11:04.560 By contrast, the Carthaginian generals 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:06.479 were brutally punished for failure 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:09.870 and so they tended to be more cautious and restrained. 00:11:09.870 --> 00:11:12.299 This dynamic is helpful for understanding some 00:11:12.299 --> 00:11:15.990 of the crazy things that happened during the Punic Wars. 00:11:15.990 --> 00:11:18.960 So the Romans have crossed over to Messana 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:21.389 and now there was some red on the island. 00:11:21.389 --> 00:11:22.980 Hit that panic button. 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:24.120 (crowd screams) 00:11:24.120 --> 00:11:26.220 This turn of events was unacceptable 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:28.230 to both Carthage and Syracuse. 00:11:28.230 --> 00:11:30.389 So the traditional enemies teamed up 00:11:30.389 --> 00:11:32.220 to kick the Romans off their island. 00:11:32.220 --> 00:11:34.147 They surrounded the city and said, 00:11:34.147 --> 00:11:37.500 "Hey, you jerks, this isn't your island! 00:11:37.500 --> 00:11:39.059 Come out of there at once!" 00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:41.099 - [Romans] Okay, we're coming! 00:11:41.100 --> 00:11:41.932 - [Carthaginian] See, Phil. 00:11:41.932 --> 00:11:43.860 You just gotta speak with authority. 00:11:43.860 --> 00:11:46.259 That's what being an alpha male's all about. 00:11:46.259 --> 00:11:47.210 - [Romans] Hey man. 00:11:48.054 --> 00:11:50.699 - [Carthaginian] Oh, you brought your weapons and armor? 00:11:50.700 --> 00:11:53.550 No, I didn't mean. Oh, crap. 00:11:53.549 --> 00:11:55.349 - [OverSimplified] Out the Roman legions came 00:11:55.350 --> 00:11:58.170 to engage the Carthaginians in battle 00:11:58.169 --> 00:12:00.329 and they sent them packing. 00:12:00.330 --> 00:12:03.360 With the battle of Messana, whether intended or not, 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:05.310 by going to help the Mamertines, 00:12:05.309 --> 00:12:09.932 the two sides had just slipped into an all-out war. 00:12:10.889 --> 00:12:14.069 With the initial Roman victory, towns across Sicily, 00:12:14.070 --> 00:12:17.460 including Syracuse began switching allegiance. 00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:20.100 Because being a winner is more fun. 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.600 But the Carthaginians weren't about 00:12:21.600 --> 00:12:23.519 to just give up that easily. 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:27.179 In 262 BC, they began building up their forces 00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:28.289 at Agrigentum. 00:12:28.289 --> 00:12:30.870 So the Romans, being aggressive go-getters, 00:12:30.870 --> 00:12:32.759 aggressively go got them. 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:34.740 The Romans immediately laid siege, 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:37.350 hoping to starve out the Carthaginian garrison. 00:12:37.350 --> 00:12:39.659 However, because this was the first time Rome 00:12:39.659 --> 00:12:42.059 had been fighting outside the Italian peninsula, 00:12:42.059 --> 00:12:45.689 across the water, they struggled to supply their forces. 00:12:45.690 --> 00:12:47.850 And before long, the Romans were 00:12:47.850 --> 00:12:51.240 as starving as the Carthaginians they were besieging. 00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:54.690 They had to forage for food, leaving them open to ambush. 00:12:54.690 --> 00:12:57.000 And when Carthaginian reinforcement arrived, 00:12:57.000 --> 00:13:00.629 creating a double siege, things got really bad. 00:13:00.629 --> 00:13:02.850 Everybody starved each other for months 00:13:02.850 --> 00:13:04.500 until nobody could take it anymore 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:08.549 and they all finally came out for battle, which Rome won. 00:13:08.549 --> 00:13:09.539 - [War Counselor] Here's the report 00:13:09.539 --> 00:13:11.879 from the recent siege at Agrigentum, sir. 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:13.649 - [Senate Member] We killed 30,000 00:13:13.649 --> 00:13:16.079 while only suffering 7,000 losses? 00:13:16.080 --> 00:13:18.540 That's amazing! We're the best! 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.649 - [War Counselor] Yes, sir. 00:13:19.649 --> 00:13:21.750 Whoops, those are the wrong way around. 00:13:21.750 --> 00:13:24.629 - [Senate Member] What? We lost 30,000? 00:13:24.629 --> 00:13:27.929 We're the worst! But we won, right? 00:13:27.929 --> 00:13:28.919 - [War Counselor] Yes, sir. 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:31.139 - [Senate Member] But we also got our asses kicked? 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:32.129 - [War Counselor] Yes, sir. 00:13:32.129 --> 00:13:34.312 - [Senate Member] So are we the best or the worst? 00:13:35.429 --> 00:13:36.512 - [War Counselor] Yes, sir. 00:13:36.513 --> 00:13:37.950 (Senate murmurs) 00:13:37.950 --> 00:13:39.540 - [OverSimplified] The Romans wanted Agrigentum 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:41.490 because they were aggressive go-getters 00:13:41.490 --> 00:13:43.769 and they now began eyeing up the possibility 00:13:43.769 --> 00:13:45.899 of conquering the entire island. 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:48.389 But they also suffered very heavy losses 00:13:48.389 --> 00:13:51.000 and it was clear they couldn't sustain a campaign 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:53.250 if they couldn't supply their troops. 00:13:53.250 --> 00:13:56.490 Here's the issue. Sicily was an island. 00:13:56.490 --> 00:13:59.039 Islands are surrounded by water. 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:02.129 A strong navy would be vital for supplying troops 00:14:02.129 --> 00:14:03.809 and winning the war. 00:14:03.809 --> 00:14:08.639 Here was Carthage's navy and here was Rome's. 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:09.472 (water splashes) I think you 00:14:09.472 --> 00:14:10.799 can see the problem. 00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:13.979 Historians debate just how much naval experience Rome 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:15.180 had at this point. 00:14:15.179 --> 00:14:17.279 Presumably, they must have had something 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:18.990 to defend their shoreline. 00:14:18.990 --> 00:14:22.529 But whatever it was, it would've paled in comparison 00:14:22.529 --> 00:14:24.659 to the Carthaginian juggernaut. 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:27.839 And so Rome had to figure out exactly what to do 00:14:27.840 --> 00:14:29.460 about all this water. 00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:30.720 - [Roman General] Come on, men! 00:14:30.720 --> 00:14:32.399 We're not gonna let some pansy, 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:33.959 candy-ass water get in the way 00:14:33.960 --> 00:14:36.625 of our glorious victory against Carthage! 00:14:36.625 --> 00:14:37.832 Charge! 00:14:39.179 --> 00:14:41.279 (Roman General sputters) 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:43.269 Tell my kids I love them! 00:14:46.289 --> 00:14:48.449 - [Roman Leader] We're gonna need a bigger boat. 00:14:48.450 --> 00:14:49.920 - [Roman Warrior] What's a boat? 00:14:49.919 --> 00:14:50.752 - [Roman Leader] I don't know. 00:14:50.753 --> 00:14:52.530 - [OverSimplified] If the Romans wanted to win this war 00:14:52.529 --> 00:14:56.370 and obtain Sicily, there was only one thing for them to do. 00:14:56.370 --> 00:14:57.509 - [Roman General] I guess we're just gonna have 00:14:57.509 --> 00:15:00.330 to go ahead and build ourselves a war fleet, aren't we? 00:15:00.330 --> 00:15:01.350 - [Hank] From scratch? 00:15:01.350 --> 00:15:02.670 - [Roman General] From scratch. 00:15:02.669 --> 00:15:04.019 - [Hank] But we don't even know how, 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:05.850 never mind how to fight with one. 00:15:05.850 --> 00:15:07.139 - [Roman General] Don't worry, Hank. 00:15:07.139 --> 00:15:09.629 We're up to the challenge. Come on, guys. 00:15:09.629 --> 00:15:13.559 We're Romans and Romans aren't afraid of anything! (screams) 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:15.809 - [OverSimplified] And so the Romans worked long and hard, 00:15:15.809 --> 00:15:18.299 trying to figure out how on earth you actually built 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:19.829 the latest style of warship. 00:15:19.830 --> 00:15:22.590 In the end, they had a bit of luck on their side. 00:15:22.590 --> 00:15:24.629 A Carthaginian quinquireme ended up 00:15:24.629 --> 00:15:26.850 accidentally grounding on Italian soil. 00:15:26.850 --> 00:15:29.430 The Romans found it and copied the design. 00:15:29.429 --> 00:15:31.169 While the new fleet was being built, 00:15:31.169 --> 00:15:34.589 the Romans trained rowers on land and, would you believe it, 00:15:34.590 --> 00:15:37.860 the Romans put together a full fighting fleet 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:42.860 of 120 warships in just two months, a staggering feat. 00:15:43.950 --> 00:15:45.637 Now, I know what you're thinking. 00:15:45.636 --> 00:15:48.389 "But OverSimplified, if the Romans can build a war fleet 00:15:48.389 --> 00:15:49.980 from scratch in two months, 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:52.860 then why does it take you half a year to make a video?" 00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:57.427 Well, my valued subscriber, I think you should shut up. 00:15:57.427 --> 00:15:58.980 - [Carthaginian General] What the heck? 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:02.340 How on earth did the Romans learn how to build a war fleet? 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:04.230 This shouldn't be happening! 00:16:04.230 --> 00:16:05.062 - [Carl] From what I hear, 00:16:05.062 --> 00:16:07.236 they copied the design from us, sir. 00:16:07.236 --> 00:16:08.069 - [Carthaginian General] Well, how on earth 00:16:08.070 --> 00:16:10.287 did they get the blueprint, Carl? 00:16:10.287 --> 00:16:12.060 - [Carl] I don't know, sir. 00:16:12.059 --> 00:16:13.319 But I'll tell you what. 00:16:13.320 --> 00:16:15.217 If you're worried about people stealing your data? 00:16:15.216 --> 00:16:16.049 - [Carthaginian General] No. 00:16:16.049 --> 00:16:17.219 - [Carl] And you wanna protect yourself 00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:18.452 from outside threats-- 00:16:18.452 --> 00:16:19.285 - [Carthaginian General] Don't you dare! 00:16:19.285 --> 00:16:20.391 - [Carl] Then you, my friend-- 00:16:20.392 --> 00:16:21.420 - [Carthaginian General] If you mention NordVPN, 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:23.069 I'll scream! 00:16:23.070 --> 00:16:26.465 - Should use NordVPN! (Carthaginian General screams) 00:16:26.465 --> 00:16:27.720 - [OverSimplified] Do you like corporations 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:30.090 knowing everything about you and then selling your data 00:16:30.090 --> 00:16:32.700 to advertisers who convince you to buy things you don't need 00:16:32.700 --> 00:16:35.970 in an endless cycle over and over until you die? 00:16:35.970 --> 00:16:40.920 Me neither! And that's why I use NordVPN. (laughs) 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:44.189 NordVPN allows you to connect to super fast secure servers 00:16:44.190 --> 00:16:46.890 all around the world, encrypting your IP address 00:16:46.889 --> 00:16:49.980 to protect your online data from undesirable eyes. 00:16:49.980 --> 00:16:53.009 That means you can look at all the Squatty Potties you want 00:16:53.009 --> 00:16:54.330 and no one will know! 00:16:54.330 --> 00:16:57.600 With NordVPN, you can search for better online deals 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.790 in other territories and unlock content 00:16:59.789 --> 00:17:01.649 not available in your country, hey! 00:17:01.649 --> 00:17:04.529 NordVPN now comes with a threat protection function 00:17:04.529 --> 00:17:05.670 and much more. 00:17:05.670 --> 00:17:06.810 And if you don't like it, 00:17:06.809 --> 00:17:09.690 it comes with a 30 day money-back guarantee. 00:17:09.690 --> 00:17:13.049 Go to Nordvpn.com/oversimplified 00:17:13.049 --> 00:17:16.049 to get an exclusive deal with a huge discount. 00:17:16.049 --> 00:17:19.889 That's Nordvpn.com/oversimplified. 00:17:19.890 --> 00:17:22.680 And as always, you'll be supporting my channel. 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:24.210 So thank you. 00:17:24.210 --> 00:17:25.263 Now, where were we? 00:17:26.130 --> 00:17:29.820 Oh yeah, the siege at Agrigentum, supply issues, 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:32.490 and building a war fleet. 00:17:32.490 --> 00:17:35.640 So now the Romans have a navy and it's time 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:37.110 to put it to the test. 00:17:37.109 --> 00:17:40.169 But how does one wage ancient naval warfare? 00:17:40.170 --> 00:17:41.003 Easy! (bell dings) 00:17:41.002 --> 00:17:43.619 All of the ships had giant bronze rams on the front, 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:46.349 so all you had to do was out-maneuver the enemy 00:17:46.349 --> 00:17:47.969 and give them the jimmies. 00:17:47.970 --> 00:17:49.559 Easy as pie. 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:51.720 And so the aggressive Romans set out 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:54.269 for some good old fashioned jimmy-giving. 00:17:54.269 --> 00:17:58.019 The Consul Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio set out for the town 00:17:58.019 --> 00:18:00.569 of Lipara, believing the garrison there wanted 00:18:00.569 --> 00:18:01.919 to join the Romans. 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:05.070 As he entered the harbor, however, he found himself trapped 00:18:05.069 --> 00:18:08.460 by a Carthaginian fleet and, in the following skirmish, 00:18:08.460 --> 00:18:11.370 he was completely outmatched. 00:18:11.369 --> 00:18:13.739 The Romans may have had a brand new fleet, 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:16.109 but when it came to engaging in actual combat, 00:18:16.109 --> 00:18:18.269 their inexperience showed. 00:18:18.269 --> 00:18:19.920 There was just something better 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:21.810 about the Carthaginian ships. 00:18:21.809 --> 00:18:24.599 The Carthaginian rowers had nicer abs. 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:27.689 The entire Carthaginian Empire had been built 00:18:27.690 --> 00:18:29.460 on expert seamanship. 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:33.360 So when it came to water, the Carthaginians were better 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:35.669 and the Romans were wetter. 00:18:35.670 --> 00:18:39.000 In their initial skirmish, the Romans were beaten so badly 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:43.079 that the Consul, Scipio, was given a nickname, Asina. 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:46.756 And if you're wondering what that means, just drop the -ina. 00:18:46.757 --> 00:18:47.590 (donkey hee-haws) 00:18:47.589 --> 00:18:49.709 So what were the Romans to do? 00:18:49.710 --> 00:18:51.569 How could they possibly stand up 00:18:51.569 --> 00:18:53.778 to this Carthaginian superpower? 00:18:53.778 --> 00:18:57.000 Well, there's something you gotta understand 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:58.380 about the Romans. 00:18:58.380 --> 00:19:00.510 Back when they found that Carthaginian ship 00:19:00.509 --> 00:19:03.809 and copied its design, that wasn't a one-off thing. 00:19:03.809 --> 00:19:07.470 Copying their enemies was as Roman as punishing murderers 00:19:07.470 --> 00:19:09.870 by sewing them into a leather pouch with a monkey, snake, 00:19:09.869 --> 00:19:12.119 and rooster and then throwing them into a river, 00:19:12.119 --> 00:19:13.829 which is a thing they did. 00:19:13.829 --> 00:19:15.319 Wait, what was I talking about? 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:17.819 Oh yeah, copying their enemies. 00:19:17.819 --> 00:19:20.369 Many of the most famous Roman inventions 00:19:20.369 --> 00:19:21.869 were actually borrowed. 00:19:21.869 --> 00:19:24.809 Aqueducts, chariot racing, their gods. 00:19:24.809 --> 00:19:27.149 Even in warfare, the Romans would get pierced 00:19:27.150 --> 00:19:30.300 by a Sabine javelin and they'd be like, "Wow!" 00:19:30.299 --> 00:19:32.819 They'd get hacked to bits by an Iberian sword 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:34.799 and they'd be like, "Wow!" 00:19:34.799 --> 00:19:37.500 And they'd copy the designs for themselves. 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:39.900 However, they wouldn't just copy it. 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:42.810 They would advance it, finding ways to adapt it 00:19:42.809 --> 00:19:45.029 as perfectly as possible. 00:19:45.029 --> 00:19:48.329 And in the case of naval warfare, the Romans realized 00:19:48.329 --> 00:19:51.149 if they wanted to beat the Carthaginians at their own game, 00:19:51.150 --> 00:19:53.519 they would have to adapt. 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:57.426 The Romans excelled at combat on land, not on water. 00:19:57.426 --> 00:20:00.509 "But what if," they said, "We could somehow 00:20:00.509 --> 00:20:03.720 turn a sea battle into a land battle?" 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:05.703 Sounds crazy, right? 00:20:05.703 --> 00:20:08.009 Well, they made a couple of tweaks 00:20:08.009 --> 00:20:09.456 to their warship and-- 00:20:09.457 --> 00:20:12.180 - [Carthaginian General] Look, here they come again! 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:14.400 They must love getting their asses kicked! 00:20:14.400 --> 00:20:16.650 - [Carthaginian] Uh, sir, almost that tall thing 00:20:16.650 --> 00:20:18.147 sticking out of their ships? 00:20:18.146 --> 00:20:23.146 - [Carthaginian General] (laughs) They really are idiots! 00:20:23.156 --> 00:20:26.699 Look at that thing! That'll make them blow over! 00:20:26.700 --> 00:20:29.400 I mean, look at... (laughs) 00:20:30.509 --> 00:20:34.958 Bob, get your camera out! 00:20:34.958 --> 00:20:37.023 (laughs) Take a picture of it. 00:20:39.329 --> 00:20:41.759 I mean, how stupid can you be? 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:44.400 Let's just add a big wooden tower to our ship 00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:47.493 that'll weigh us down and blow us over in the wind! 00:20:49.505 --> 00:20:51.670 I mean, what does that thing even do? 00:20:51.670 --> 00:20:52.744 (ship crunches) 00:20:52.743 --> 00:20:54.993 (men yell) 00:20:56.400 --> 00:20:57.570 - [OverSimplified] The Romans had built 00:20:57.569 --> 00:21:01.049 a big swinging spiked gangway called the Corvus. 00:21:01.049 --> 00:21:03.930 So when the Carthaginian ships approached to ram them, 00:21:03.930 --> 00:21:06.180 the Romans would just slam them. 00:21:06.180 --> 00:21:09.390 The Carthaginians tried going around. No problem. 00:21:09.390 --> 00:21:11.220 The Corvus could swivel. 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:14.670 Try going behind, the Romans would huddle to the coastline. 00:21:14.670 --> 00:21:17.220 It was foolproof. (Romans cheer) 00:21:17.220 --> 00:21:19.829 Those big sexy Carthaginian rowing muscles 00:21:19.829 --> 00:21:22.619 could flex all they want, but they were no match 00:21:22.619 --> 00:21:24.719 for the Roman mind. 00:21:24.720 --> 00:21:26.519 So ladies, you see? 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:29.163 What really matters is what's on the inside. 00:21:30.539 --> 00:21:31.710 Please go out with me. 00:21:31.710 --> 00:21:34.920 And with that, the Romans, who had only just recently 00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:37.350 began dabbling in the art of naval combat, 00:21:37.349 --> 00:21:40.679 thanks to their ingenious Corvus, had just managed 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:44.490 to outclass the Mediterranean seafaring superpower. 00:21:44.490 --> 00:21:46.890 The Carthaginians were stunned. 00:21:46.890 --> 00:21:48.390 And the general in charge 00:21:48.390 --> 00:21:50.759 of the defeated Carthaginian fleet? 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:54.661 Well, you better believe that's a crucifixion. 00:21:54.661 --> 00:21:56.070 (kids cheer) 00:21:56.069 --> 00:21:58.379 With their newfound control of the seas, 00:21:58.380 --> 00:22:01.530 the Romans could now more easily blockade coastal cities 00:22:01.529 --> 00:22:03.690 and supply their legions on land. 00:22:03.690 --> 00:22:05.910 Surely the Romans were now free 00:22:05.910 --> 00:22:09.330 to unleash their aggression all over the island. 00:22:09.329 --> 00:22:11.609 - [Roman General] Haha! Hey Carthaginians! 00:22:11.609 --> 00:22:13.319 What are you gonna do now that we're free 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:15.158 to rampage across the island? 00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:17.640 - [Carthaginian General] We're gonna go inside these walls 00:22:17.640 --> 00:22:18.932 and close this gate. 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:21.509 - [Roman General] Oh, come on guys. 00:22:21.509 --> 00:22:23.406 Stop messing around. Come out so we can kill you! 00:22:23.406 --> 00:22:24.240 - [Carthaginian General] No. 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.656 - [Roman General] Oh, come on! 00:22:25.656 --> 00:22:27.999 - [Carthaginian General] No. 00:22:27.999 --> 00:22:29.339 - [Roman General] Oh no! 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:31.349 - [OverSimplified] To counter the new Romans supremacy, 00:22:31.349 --> 00:22:33.299 the Carthaginians decided to engage 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:35.009 in a defensive war of attrition, 00:22:35.009 --> 00:22:38.970 forcing the Romans to engage in siege after lengthy siege. 00:22:38.970 --> 00:22:43.589 The war in Sicily became a long, hard, back and forth slug. 00:22:43.589 --> 00:22:47.399 One by one, cities slowly fell as the Romans gained ground. 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:49.620 Occasionally, the Carthaginians countered 00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:51.000 and even pushed them back, 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:53.460 only for the Romans to rebound again. 00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:55.860 And whenever a city did finally fall, 00:22:55.859 --> 00:22:57.509 the Romans could delight 00:22:57.509 --> 00:22:59.609 in slaughtering the entire population 00:22:59.609 --> 00:23:02.099 and selling any survivors into slavery, 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:04.649 which was pretty standard procedure at the time. 00:23:04.650 --> 00:23:08.040 In general, the campaign on land was progressing much slower 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:09.359 than the Romans had hoped. 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:12.359 And quite frankly, they were getting sick of it. 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:17.359 So in 256 BC, they decided that something had to change. 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:21.210 - [Marcus] Hey everyone, my name's Marcus Atilius Regulus 00:23:21.210 --> 00:23:23.340 and I'll be one of your Consuls for this year. 00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:25.199 Look as I'm sure you all know, 00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:27.180 Sicily's being a bit of a drag. 00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:30.150 Sure, I could go and spend my entire year as Consul 00:23:30.150 --> 00:23:32.730 besieging one single city, but they'll never make 00:23:32.730 --> 00:23:34.410 a naked statue of me for that. 00:23:34.410 --> 00:23:36.420 So here's the new plan. 00:23:36.420 --> 00:23:39.420 I'm gonna skip Sicily entirely, take my army, 00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:42.330 and go right for the heart of Carthage itself. 00:23:42.329 --> 00:23:45.629 I'll slaughter the men, enslave all the women and children, 00:23:45.630 --> 00:23:48.133 and when I return, you'll all build 00:23:48.133 --> 00:23:50.502 1,000 naked statues of me. 00:23:50.502 --> 00:23:53.789 (crowd cheers) 00:23:53.789 --> 00:23:56.549 - [Jim] Marcus, that woman and children stuff. 00:23:56.549 --> 00:23:58.440 That seems pretty evil and barbaric. 00:23:58.440 --> 00:24:00.090 - [Marcus] No, Jim, it's perfectly normal 00:24:00.089 --> 00:24:01.169 in the ancient world. 00:24:01.170 --> 00:24:03.504 Sometimes we even chop their pets in half. 00:24:03.503 --> 00:24:05.463 (crowd cheers) 00:24:05.463 --> 00:24:07.049 - [Carthaginian General] Okay guys, looks like the Romans 00:24:07.049 --> 00:24:09.029 are coming straight for us this time. 00:24:09.029 --> 00:24:10.799 And what will they do when they get here? 00:24:10.799 --> 00:24:12.326 They'll kill us all. 00:24:12.326 --> 00:24:13.160 (crowd gasps) 00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:14.940 They'll massacre each and every last one of us. 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:16.740 They may even chop our pets in half. 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:18.203 - [Rob] That's barbaric! 00:24:18.203 --> 00:24:19.037 - [Carthaginian General] No, Rob, 00:24:19.037 --> 00:24:20.640 it's actually pretty normal for the time. 00:24:20.640 --> 00:24:22.020 We'd do the same to them. 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.231 - [Mary] Who will protect us? 00:24:23.231 --> 00:24:25.170 - [Carthaginian General] Funny you should ask, Mary. 00:24:25.170 --> 00:24:27.660 That's kind of why I called this meeting. 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:29.240 Who will protect us? 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:34.240 Protect our families, our homes, our children? 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:40.460 You guys? Ha, don't make me laugh. 00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:45.090 Why, you're just a bunch of stupid and weak farmers. 00:24:45.089 --> 00:24:50.089 Simple-minded buffoons, cowards, fools. 00:24:50.369 --> 00:24:54.929 Rob here thinks enslaving women and children is barbaric. 00:24:54.930 --> 00:24:57.962 You're a snowflake, Rob. Yes, you are. 00:24:58.859 --> 00:25:03.859 The fact is if the Romans manage to land on African soil, 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:08.900 we're all gonna die a terrifying, hideous, 00:25:09.089 --> 00:25:12.153 unspeakably painful death. 00:25:16.589 --> 00:25:19.226 - [Rob] Is that the end of that speech? 00:25:19.227 --> 00:25:20.388 - [Carthaginian General] Yes. 00:25:20.387 --> 00:25:23.054 (crowd screams) 00:25:24.896 --> 00:25:26.490 - [OverSimplified] The Carthaginians had to stop the Romans 00:25:26.490 --> 00:25:29.099 from ever landing in Africa because they believed 00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:30.389 that would be the end. 00:25:30.390 --> 00:25:32.730 So as the Romans were building an invasion fleet 00:25:32.730 --> 00:25:35.339 the size of which the world had never seen before, 00:25:35.339 --> 00:25:38.069 the Carthaginians were preparing an even bigger one 00:25:38.069 --> 00:25:39.269 to stop them. 00:25:39.269 --> 00:25:43.170 And in 256 BC, as the Roman invasion fleet 00:25:43.170 --> 00:25:45.930 made its way south, the stage was set 00:25:45.930 --> 00:25:50.130 for a humongous battle that saw 680 warships, 00:25:50.130 --> 00:25:53.670 around 300,000 men, fighting to decide 00:25:53.670 --> 00:25:55.050 the course of the war. 00:25:55.049 --> 00:25:57.720 To this day, the Battle of Cape Ecnomus 00:25:57.720 --> 00:26:02.039 remains possibly the largest naval battle in human history, 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:04.799 all the way back in ancient times. 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:06.389 So the next time your granddad tells you 00:26:06.390 --> 00:26:09.420 about the time he sank a Japanese aircraft carrier, 00:26:09.420 --> 00:26:10.350 kick him in the nuts. 00:26:10.349 --> 00:26:12.569 The Romans had a lot riding on this battle. 00:26:12.569 --> 00:26:14.490 They weren't just sending their warships, 00:26:14.490 --> 00:26:17.910 but transports as well, full of supplies and horses 00:26:17.910 --> 00:26:19.500 for their invasion of Africa. 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:22.230 They therefore formed a protective wedge-like formation 00:26:22.230 --> 00:26:25.440 to punch through the long, thin Carthaginian line. 00:26:25.440 --> 00:26:28.049 The Carthaginian generals, however, desperate 00:26:28.049 --> 00:26:30.269 to prevent the Romans from reaching Africa, 00:26:30.269 --> 00:26:32.400 had a plan of their own. 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:35.910 As the Roman fleet approached, the Carthaginian center 00:26:35.910 --> 00:26:38.820 feigned a retreat luring the Romans in 00:26:38.819 --> 00:26:41.159 so their outstretched flanks could envelop them 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:45.150 and get around the Roman Corvus, a clever plan. 00:26:45.150 --> 00:26:47.670 But with such a huge battle 00:26:47.670 --> 00:26:49.769 and so many ships crowded together, 00:26:49.769 --> 00:26:52.859 the Carthaginians struggled to maneuver as hoped 00:26:52.859 --> 00:26:56.009 and in the chaos, three separate battles emerged 00:26:56.009 --> 00:26:58.259 across the huge battle space. 00:26:58.259 --> 00:27:01.379 With the number of ships limiting their ability to maneuver, 00:27:01.380 --> 00:27:04.110 the Carthaginians became sitting ducks 00:27:04.109 --> 00:27:07.469 and all the Romans had to do was start swinging. 00:27:07.470 --> 00:27:10.380 The Roman center came out on top and were then able 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:13.890 to turn around and rescue their pinned-down flanks. 00:27:13.890 --> 00:27:18.873 The battle of Cape Ecnomus was a Roman victory. 00:27:20.046 --> 00:27:22.462 (epic music)